Compare
Automatic stroker comparison
Two designs dominate the category. This table sets them side by side on the questions that decide a purchase.
| What you are deciding | Enclosed | Strap-driven | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| What holds the sleeve | A powered housing that holds its own moulded sleeve | A strap or cradle around a sleeve you choose | Decides whether hands-free use needs a mount or furniture |
| Sleeve choice | The sleeve made for that housing | A wider choice, since the strap sets the pressure | Decides running cost and how simple a worn sleeve is to replace |
| Pressure and grip | Set by the housing, so it repeats the same way each time | Set by strap tension, so it adjusts by hand | Repeatable and adjustable pull in different directions |
| Noise at home | Depends on the motor and the surface underneath | Depends on the motor and the surface underneath | A useful noise figure states its distance, speed and load |
| Use without an app | Varies by model | Varies by model | Physical controls keep working if an app changes |
| Replacement parts | Varies by brand | Varies by brand | Parts on sale turn a worn component into a repair |
Which design suits which situation
An enclosed design suits someone who wants the same feel every time and is happy to buy the maker's sleeves. It usually sets up faster, because the housing already holds everything in place.
A strap-driven design suits someone who already owns sleeves they like, or who wants to adjust grip by hand from one session to the next. It asks a little more of setup, so check what it needs to stay in position before you buy. Either design can work hands-free, and in both cases the answer depends on the mount.
Two ways to read the same device
This page compares devices by what holds the sleeve. They can also be compared by how they move: stroking, air pressure or a moving carriage. Every device has one answer to each question, so an enclosed device can use either stroking or air pressure.
What holds the sleeve decides running cost and whether a fault can be repaired. How it moves decides what it feels like. Both are worth asking, and the first is the one that still matters in the third year.
Narrow it to your situation
The fit finder turns this comparison into the questions that apply to you.